Damnation of Harvey McHugh: cast

Aaron Blabey as Harvey McHugh

Aaron Blabey is a newcomer to television. In 1991, during his final year at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, he discovered theatre. During a school performance of Romeo and Juliet, Aaron was discovered by Malcolm Robertson, the artistic director of the Playbox Theatre. After being offered the chance to play Romeo in Robertson’s production of the Shakespearian classic, Aaron left his studies at Melbourne University to concentrate on drama. His fellow actors and directors of The Damnation of Harvey McHugh all agree that Aaron has a natural talent rarely seen in an actor so young, especially an actor with no formal training. Aaron is an accomplished pianist and guitarist. His piano playing ability has been utilised by the series creators.

Since appearing as Harvey McHugh, for which he won the 1994 AFI award for Best Actor, Aaron has appeared in numerous TV series including Blue Heelers, Medivac, Wildside, Water Rats, GP, Fallen Angels, Grass Roots, All Saints, The Day of the Roses, Stingers, and CrashBurn. Blabey has appeared in the feature films Mr. Reliable, Turning April, Erskineville Kings, and Mullet.

Harvey McHugh, a lowly clerk struggling to survive in the ruthless public service, wants nothing more than to gain a permant job in the public service. Unbeknownst to him however, his life is sidetracked after an elevator accident, after which he becomes invaluable to The Minister who shuffles him from one government job to another as he uses him to further not just his own career, but his life. Harvey’s naiveté, decency and goodness are scarcely compatible with the realities of modern government.

Philip Quast as The Minister

Philip Quast attained international acclaim for his characterisation of the evil Javert in Les Miserables. As well as performing the role on the international cast recording with the London Symphony Orchestra, Philip has played Javert in London, Manchester, Australia, and New Zealand. Philip won the prestigious Olivier award for his portrayal of George in Steven Sondheim’s Sunday In the Park With George at the National Theatre of Great Britian. In 1992 he achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of lay teacher Ian McGregor in the ABC’s Brides of Christ. His other television credits include Special Squad, Army Wives, Fields of Fire and Cassidy; Emoh Ruo on the big screen and the Threepenny Opera, Hamlet, The Marriage and Shark Infested Waters on stage.

The Minister (Michael Muldoon) embodies the best and worst of modern Australian politicians. He is ruthless, pragmatic, messianic but at the same time vulnerable and humane. The Australian people adore him, and Harvey is his greatest and most trusting fan, a trait The Minister exploits to the utmost in his endless quest to become Australia’s next Prime Minister, and just perhaps, its first President. Complicating his political aspirations is a rare neurological illness he is afflicted by, but fortunately for The Minister, he discovers Harvey McHugh, a perfect genetic match, and his one chance for survival.

Monica Maughan as Monica McHugh

Monica Maughan is best remembered by television fans for her portrayals of Jean Ford in The Box, Constable Baker’s mother, Iris in Cop Shop and Col’n Carpenter’s mother, Dawn in the Col’n Carpenter Show. She appeared in Sloth in the ABC-TV series, Seven Deadly Sins. Monica began her dramatic career at the Union Theatre Reperatory Co., in Melbourne in the late 1950’s. During a successful three year stint in Britain she understudied Moira Lister and Amanda Barrie in Any Wednesday. Another understudy in that company was fellow Harvey McHugh actor, Bruce Myles. In recent years Monica has performed in The Importance of Being Earnest, The Popular Mechanicals, A Hard God with Philip Quast in Adelaide, and Uncle Vanya. Monica won a prestigious AFI award for her starring role in A City’s Child in 1971 and has won three Green Room Awards for Gulls, Blithe Spirit and The Importance of Being Earnest as well as Two Erik Awards for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Three Months Gone. Monica says the role of Monica McHugh is fabulous: "I am lucky to be doing it. John Misto is a terrific writer. He has written a character that rings true, a total character with all the complexities of real people."

The Minister embodies the best and worst of modern Australian politicians. He is ruthless, pragmatic, messianic but at the same time vulnerable and humane. The Australian people adore him, and Harvey is his greatest and most trusting fan, a trait The Minister exploits to the utmost in his endless quest to become Australia’s next Prime Minister, and just perhaps, its first President. Complicating his political aspirations is a rare neurological illness he is afflicted by, but fortunately for The Minister, he discovers Harvey McHugh, a perfect genetic match, and his one chance for survival

Daniel Rigney as Frank McHugh

Daniel Rigney moved from Sidney to take up the role of Frank McHugh. His father, John, is a GP in the harbour city. Daniel grew up in a large family, keen on sports, especially gymnastics, but with little interest in drama. After leaving school, Daniel tried all sorts of jobs from labouring to real estate. It wasn’t until a stint as an extra on the miniseries Vietnam that his future became clear. Star of the series, Nicholas Eadie, suggested Daniel try NIDA, advice that led Daniel to graduate from the prestigious drama school in 1992. Since his graduation, Daniel has appeared in numerous television series such as The Feds, Police Rescue, A Country Practice, Murder Call, Water Rats, GP, and The Man From Snowy River. Theatre credits include the acclaimed ’Elegies’, ’This is the Sea’, Belvoir Street’s ’Splendids’ and Sydney Theatre Company’s ’Titus Andronicus’. Film roles include The Island of Dr. Moreau, Welcome to Woop Woop, and Thank God He Met Lizzie.

Sadly, Daniel Rigney passed away suddenly in 1997 of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 31.

Frank McHugh is Harvey’s older brother. Married to Gina and with two young sons (Raymond and Raphael), Frank often feels that life has dealt him a bad hand. His marriage is unhappy yet his love for his children is unswerving. His future becomes uncertain when Gina walks out on him taking their two sons, resulting in Frank moving back home.

Ronald Falk as Dr. Victor Voysner

Ronald Falk brings almost four decades of experience to the cast of The Damnation of Harvey McHugh. Ron has worked extensively in the theatre in both Britain and Australia. His credits are numerous, having worked at the Old Vic, English Stage Company, Stratford Upon Avon, Scottish National Theatre and in repertory before returning to Australia, where he has worked with most major theatre companies performing in plays such as Rough Crossing, Nicholas Nickleby, Arturo Ui and Elephant Man. His television credits cover such diverse programs as Z Cars and Hobson’s Choice in England and A Country Practice, The Last Man Hanged, The Flying Doctors and Neighbours in Australia. A stint at the Union Theatre in the 1950’s saw him working with Harvey McHugh co-star Monica Maughan and Barry Humphries in a production of Front Page.

Dr. Voysner works closely with The Minister in his plans to lead the country. A brilliant, yet unethical neurologist, Dr. Voysner plays an important role in the continued manipulation of Harvey McHugh by the Minister.

Roger Oakley as Bernard Bannerman

Roger Oakley is best known to television viewers for his role as Tom Fletcher in Home & Away and his credits in television and on stage are extensive. New Zealand born, Roger worked and studied in England, performed in the United States, "off Broadway", before returning briefly to New Zealand, then settling in Australia. New Zealand’s loss was certainly Australia’s gain. Roger has a lengthy list of theatrical credits including, The Norman Conquests, Glengarry Glen Ross, Uncle Vanya, Demolition Job and Einstein. In 1992 Roger was awarded the Greenroom Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Sex Diary of an Infidel. Roger’s television credits are equally impressive. They include roles in The Flying Doctors, A Country Practice, Secrets, Carson’s Law, Women of the Sun, The Keepers and The Sullivans, and Something in the Air.

Bernard Bannerman meets the McHugh family when Harvey saves Fury, a former police horse, from the slaughterhouse. Bernard, his handler, and Fury, were drummed out of the force after an ugly accident involving a member of the Royal Family. Bernard soon moves in with the McHughs and before long becomes involved with Monica. Bernard currently works as a prison guard.

Graham Dow as “The Vegetable”

Graham’s television credits include Blue Heelers, Phoenix, The Last Warhorse, The Zoo Family as well as the miniseries Come Midnight Monday and the Magistrate. He has worked extensively with the Adelaide Rep. Theatre Company.

"The Vegetable" (his proper name is never given, his family only ever refer to him dad or grand-dad) is Monica’s father and grandfather to Harvey and Frank. A stroke has left him confined to a wheeelchair and unable to speak or care for himself. Despite his condition, he appears to be aware of the goings on around him, and in a few flashbacks during the series, he is seen prior to his stroke.

Elise McCredie as Megan

Elise, a Victorian College of the Arts graduate, has appeared in Introducing Gary Petty, State Coroner, Blue Healers, A Country Practice and Snowy. Her theatrical experience includes The Garden of Grand Daughters for the Playbox, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Phaedra and Masterpieces for the VCA.

Harvey’s friend and confidante within the public service who works in the canteen.

Bruce Myles as Father Healey

Bruce is one of Australia’s most experienced actors, having worked and studied in the UK and the United States and directed numerous plays. His acting credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Altogether Now, Sky Trackers, Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left. In 1992 he won the Green Room Award for his direction of The Sex Diary of an Infidel.

The McHugh family priest. He has the unenviable task of regularly dealing with Harvey’s problems through the confessional.

Jane Borghesi as Gina McHugh

A university graduate, Jane spent three seasons with the Soup Kitchen Theatre in Daze of Our Lives, Shopping and 25 Words or Less. She also performed in several productions at the La Mamma Theatre. Her television credits include Full Frontal, as a writer and performer, Janus, Embassy, Open Learning and television commercials.

Frank’s long suffering wife who leaves him early in the series for their sons’ PE teacher.